Sketches in the East and West 289 



madly toward the tense figure of the bitch. As 

 he approached he slackened speed, but did not 

 stop until he was a length in front. He was too 

 close and the bevy flushed. 



" It's not worth while to put him through his 

 regular lesson here. It would do no good. I've 

 simply got to make him stop a hundred times 

 when I call and gradually get control over him 

 in backing. He knows now that he's wrong, and 

 for the sake of discipline I must dust his skin a 

 little." Joe took his dusting meekly and went 

 back to the crate. 



Then for the pointer. Her owner had spoiled 

 her by teaching her to flush ahead of him. She 

 had acquired a habit of flushing so far ahead that 

 shooting was usually barren of results. When 

 the gun was fifty yards away, she would go into 

 the birds, in her owner's shooting. On the scat- 

 tered birds which the setter had flushed she soon 

 had a point. 



" After that rascal's flush she will be more 

 uneasy on point than ever, but if I can conquer 

 her now, it will be the best kind of experience. 

 You stay here." 



The handler walked toward the point slowly, 

 stopping quietly every few paces, and, as he came 

 near, talking caution in level tones. 



" Ste-a-a-d-y-y, Queen ; who-o-o-a." 



The bitch shook like the aspen leaf of old. 



